Fathers went to the state Capitol demanding more time with their kids, saying that current law favors mothers and that their children are suffering because of it.

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Nebraska legislators heard emotional testimonies Wednesday afternoon on a bill that would change the Nebraska Parenting Act by adding a presumption that each parent will be entitled to at least 45 percent of parenting time.

Sen. Russ Karpisek said his bill would lessen the likelihood of messy custody battles.

“If you know going in it's going to be close to 50 percent, then where's the fight,” Karpisek said.

Divorce Attorney John Ballew said the parenting act is working and it's keeping kids out of courts.

“If you mandate 45 percent between two parents and they don't have the money to fight it one way or another, what you're going to end up with is a war between two parents that children are ultimately going to be the loser in,” Ballew said.

Jared Minary and Beau Caddell were two of the nine parents who testified in favor of the bill, saying they are fit fathers despite the limits the courts give them.

Minary said he has spent $30,000 trying to have equal time with his 9-year-old son, but he still only sees him four nights a month.

“I don't care if I have full custody. I want to be with my son,” Minary said.

Caddell worries his daughter is already losing all those nights she asks him to tuck her into bed.

“I have to tell her that I can't do that, and I worry how long that goes on before she starts to think I don't want her in my life,” Caddell said.

Karpisek said the bill would only offer a fallback position on custody. If a parent is seen as unfit, a judge could still give sole or more custody to the other parent.

The Judiciary Committee will decide whether or not to advance the bill.